Main Page

From Wikislax

Contents

Linux server

This guide is intended as a set of recipes installing and configuring essential Linux and server software. The goal is to save your time ... and mine :) (re)installing a truly functional server ! This guide also strives to give key Linux information, not cluttering brains as so many introductory books do, and making a better learning experience (well at least, hopefully!). A reasonably significant list of software programs is covered, however professionnal features such as backups, raid, lvm, clusters, automation, are not present here. Following all the topics in this guide will however probably take you a few weeks. I wish you good luck and hope that this guide will serve you well !

My recipes are based on slackware (64 bits - currently 14.1). The reasons for preferring Slackware are simplicity and stability of this distribution. Also, Slackware does not hide what needs to be shown ... and goes straight to the point. As word goes : "learn <your distro> and you will know <your distro>, learn Slackware and you will know Linux". Yes, I agree that every techie - and probably myself as well - will always find all the reasons for telling that their favourite distro is the most gorgeous in the world. Some other reasons why I like slackware are that it gives good visibility and control on system and package installation. I will however often prefer to install software not from packages, but from source.

Installing software from source is not more difficult than using a graphical package manager that will hide most of what you need to know – specially regarding compilation options and – to some extent, location and content of configuration files. This guide will instead strive to show you what really happens under the hood. This knowledge should be reusable on any other Linux distribution appropriate for your needs.

Xen virtualization

Internet software

Most of the server software can be installed directly from the distribution release to save time and effort. However, Server software must include only these compile options required and be updated quickly in case of security advisory, so we will compile it from source. The installation order below must be respected :